The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
The Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, has backed the provision for the Returning Officers during Elections to cancel results in polling units if they have been compromised.
Mr Igini said the Section 65 of the Electoral Act should not be controversial as it is something the Civil Society, Human Rights Activists and Political activists have fought over for 20 years and more.
He said before now people were declared winners of elections with the process obviously compromised.
Mr Igini added that a typical example of this situation was what happened during the 2019 Elections when a University Professor who was a returning officer announcing to the World that the results he is declaring were compromised but the result still stands till date.
He said the new provision will put a stop to the practice of declaration of results at gunpoint.
He however said the provision does not give absolute power to the Returning Officer for the cancellation of results adding that in such cases, the returning officer is also one of those to be investigated.
He said Section 65 is designed to guard against such an occurrence.
According to him, another thorny issue that has been addressed by the Electoral Act 2022 is Section 31 which initially said the Independent National Electoral Commission must accept any candidate presented by Political parties.
He said the new amendment made it mandatory that candidates can only be accepted for Elections by the Election Management Body if they emerged through valid primaries.
He said section 65 is designed to stop the practice of returning people who do not win elections through gunpoint and stop the practice of Tribunals as the final adjudicator of Election matters which can be resolved administratively.
Going further, Mr Igini said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the regulator of Elections in Nigeria to the exclusion of any Other organ and is subject to Judicial review a situation he said should be the norm and not the exception.
He added that those calling for the amendment of the Section 65 are nothing but mischief makers.
He described the Electoral Act 2022 as one that will bring the best into the system adding that repealing Section 65 or amending it is a recipe for future rigging or creating endless Court Cases over Election matters that could easily have bee resolved administratively.
According to Mr Igini, rigging Elections in the Country will be virtually impossible with the new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022.
He disclosed that this will also ensure the prosecution of Electoral Offenders for the first time since 1999.
He said Nigerians have failed to appreciate the primacy of the Political process in the provision of basic amenities to the People including Economic Development, Job Creation and Infrastructure Development.
APC HOLDS ZONAL RALLY IN WUKARI TARABA STATE
The Presidential and Gubernatorial rallies of All Progressives Congress may not take place in Taraba state until the supreme court determines the two cases challenging the candidature of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as party’s flagbearer.
The Southern coordinator of Tinubu/ Shetima campaign organisation, David Kente stated this in Wukari.
He urged the APC supporters at a zonal mega rally in Wukari to mobilise for the victory of the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the outcome of the supreme court on who becomes the party gubernatorial candidate.
The zonal Presidential mega rally for Tinubu/Shetima in Taraba State began at the palace of Aku Uka, the spiritual head of Jukun nation at wukari.
Leader of the group who led APC delegate to the palace, David Kente explained reason for the exercise which was to seek the king’s blessing for the victory of their candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Aku-Aku, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali said as a father of all, he could only encourage his subjects to join the political party of their choice.
He said his prayers and expectations were for each and every of his subjects to succeed in the political party they decide to join, charging them to bear in mind that in any contest only one person would be victorious.
The campaign team then moved with fanfare from the palace to the the venue of the rally, displaying various posters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the admiration of the residents of Wukari.
Speaking at the rally, David Kente told the party supporters to go out in their numbers and mobilise votes for the victory of the party presidential candidate.
He shed more light on why the presidential campaign did not take place as earlier scheduled.
He regretted that the money given by PCC for the campaign was hijacked by some politicians in the state bent on frustrating their efforts.
Political pundits believe that for the All Progressives Congress to make positive impact in the forthcoming general election in the state, stakeholders have to put aside their personal egos and resolve the internal crisis polarising the party.
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